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British princesses Beatrice, Eugenie become trade ambassadors

Reuters

Updated:
01/17/2013 09:27:10 AM EST

Britain's Princess Beatrice and her sister Princess Eugenie pose next to a BMW Mini, in front of the Brandenburg Gate at the start of their 'Great Britain Mini Tour ' in Berlin, January 17, 2013. The tour will visit 16 German states in the coming year to promote the best of British culture. (REUTERS/Thomas Peter )

British Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are to follow in the footsteps of their father by becoming trade ambassadors for the U.K.

The two young royals, cousins to Princes William and Harry, are taking on the roles at the request of government officials as part of a campaign to promote Britain abroad.

Beatrice and Eugenie's first job will be to drive a Mini Cooper car across Berlin, Germany on Thursday (17Jan13), and they will also travel to Hanover, Germany this week (beg14Jan13) for another promotional engagement.

The girls are following in the footsteps of their father, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, who previously worked as a special trade envoy for the U.K. He stepped down from the role in 2011 following criticism of his business contacts and his friendship with American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.